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To simply put it, it was a match which Chelsea simply could not afford to lose. They were five points behind fourth-placed Tottenham coming into the match and three points were vital for their hopes of Champions League football next season.
Liverpool, though, were in high spirits as they qualified into the Champions League final following their victory against Roma midweek.
Despite Liverpool starting on the front foot, Chelsea took the lead through Olivier Giroud as he headed past Karius. Liverpool had work to do in the second half but failed to convert their chances The Chelsea defence stood tall to claim a precious victory.
Here's how each player fared on the night:
Chelsea:
Thibaut Courtois- 8/10
Courtois was the busier of the two goalkeepers in the first half and he made some really good and critical saves to keep Liverpool at bay. He was not tested much in the second half and has now kept three clean sheets in a row.
Cesar Azpilicueta- 7/10
The Spaniard complemented his other two centre-backs brilliantly and as always, silently went about doing his business. He made some crucial interceptions to stop Liverpool from taking the advantage.
Gary Cahill- 8/10
The Chelsea captain has had his share of criticism this season but has been a man in form over the past couple of weeks and he stepped up and lead their defense expertly today.
Was rock-solid in the second half and his experience was there for everyone to see.
Antonio Rudiger- 7/10
Playing on the left-hand side of the back three, Rudiger was tasked with tracking Salah's inside runs and he did his job brilliantly.
He also found the back of the net but was flagged offside.
Victor Moses- 8/10
By far Chelsea's best player in the first half His deflected cross found Giroud who gave them the lead.
Was solid defensively as well and never stopped running for one minute. Provided the much-needed width to stretch Liverpool.
Cesc Fabregas- 7/10
Chelsea's creative force from the middle of the park, Fabregas put in a good shift. Had a couple of misplaced passes in the first half, but overall, a pretty good performance from him
N'golo Kante- 9/10
Without question one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, N'golo Kante showcased his magnificence yet again as he made a remarkable eight interceptions on the night to negate Liverpool. Another brilliant outing from the player.
Tiemoue Bakayoko- 6/10
The Frenchman has had worse performances in a Chelsea shirt and despite some mistakes, his presence in the middle of the park hindered Liverpool's free-flowing attack. A confidence-boosting game for Bakayoko.
Marcos Alonso- 7/10
Tasked with tracking Salah, Alonso rarely put a foot wrong. He often found himself in spaces further up the field and was unlucky not to have scored from a brilliantly connected volley.
Eden Hazard- 8/10
Hazard's mazy runs were too hot to handle for Liverpool at times and his link-up play with Giroud is increasing game-by-game. Did his job well and was always a thorn in Liverpool's plans.
Olivier Giroud- 8/10
Chelsea's match-winner on the night, Giroud once again repaid Conte's faith in him. His brilliant header was the difference on the night and that was perhaps the most important goal of their season yet.
Substitutes:
Willian- N/A
Replaced Hazard in the 86th minute and but didn't do much to trouble the Liverpool defenders.
Davide Zappacosta- N/A
Replaced Moses in the 89th minute to provide energy on the right flank.
Pedro- N/A
Brought on to waste time in the 93rd minute as he replaced Fabregas.
Liverpool:
Loris Karius- 6/10
Could not do much about the goal he conceded but did his job with some routine saves on the night.
Nathaniel Clyne- 5/10
Not a good return to the side for Clyne as he was clearly lacking the cohesion with his teammates. Needs some more time to match the levels his teammates have risen to this season.
Dejan Lovren- 5/10
Lovren seemed to struggle a bit and looked fatigued towards the end of the game due to his exploits in Rome midweek. Often came out second-best to Giroud in aerial duels and was beaten by him to score the winner.
Virgil Van Dijk- 6/10
Van Dijk put in a decent shift and nullified Chelsea's threat in the second half to a large extent. Was calm in possession and looked to cause problems on the other end of the pitch, but his efforts came to nothing.
Andrew Robertson- 5/10
Not one of his best performances in a Liverpool shirt as he was caught often many a time in the first-half. He was also lackluster going forward and his crosses were lacked accuracy.
Trent Alexander-Arnold- 4/10
Klopp's decision to move him to midfield backfired as he had a nightmare in the middle of the park and sometimes lacked positional awareness. Looked more at home at right-back once Clyne was substituted.
Georginio Wijnaldum- 5/10
An off-night for the Dutch player as he failed to provide the spark Liverpool needed. Chose to keep things safe for the most part of the game and provided little in the final third.
James Milner- 6/10
The industrious Milner found the going tough against the Chelsea midfield and his compatriots did not help the cause as well. Was taken off in the 89th minute.
Mohammed Salah- 5/10
A shocking game from the Liverpool's main man as he was given absolutely no chance or space to operate.
At times when Liverpool needed some inspiration and looked towards Salah, he failed to bring his A-game to the table.
Roberto Firmino- 6/10
Firmino's clever movement has been credited for all season but he was man-marked throughout the game by someone or the other.
Looked a shadow of himself throughout the match and will be looking to put the defeat behind him as quickly as he can.
Sadio Mane- 7/10
The brightest of Liverpool's front-three on the night and managed to test Courtois a couple of times in the first half.
Put in a delightful cross for Solanke in the dying seconds, a really good chance to equalise.
Substitutes:
Jordan Henderson- 6/10
Came on in the 59th minute for Clyne and provided more stability to Liverpool's midfield. Looked to inspire the team and make a difference but his efforts came to nothing.nothing.
Dominic Solanke- 4/10
Liverpool hoped he can be their super-sub on the night as Klopp subbed him in, hoping to meet the difference. But he got two decent headers to equalise but both of them were off target.
Alberto Moreno- NA
Came on for Milner in the 89th minute but did not do anything noteworthy.
